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NBA playoffs: Thunder finish off Rockets

Kevin Durant, Kevin Martin lead Oklahoma City to Game 6 win in Houston.

James Harden of the Rockets gets fouled by DeAndre Liggins (25) of the Thunder in Game 6. (George Bridges / MCT)

By Kristie RiekenThe Associated Press

Sat., May 4, 2013

HOUSTON—Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Kevin Martin added 25, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-94 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night and sending them to the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season.

The Rockets were looking to become just the fourth team in NBA history to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0. But the Thunder opened the fourth quarter with a big run and cruised to the victory.

Martin finally gave the Thunder someone to take scoring pressure off Durant for the first time since all-star Russell Westbrook had season-ending knee surgery. He had 21 points by halftime and Westbrook’s replacement, Reggie Jackson helped out by scoring 17.

James Harden, who the Rockets said had strep throat on Thursday, led Houston with 26 points.

Oklahoma City used a 14-4 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to take a 92-81 lead. Derek Fisher and Durant both hit three-pointers in that stretch. Houston missed six shots, including two layups, and had two turnovers as the Thunder built the lead.

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Harden made a three-pointer after that, but Fisher stole the ball from him on the next possession. Durant took it down and finished with an exclamation point dunk, and Houston didn’t threaten after that.

The Rockets’ plan of double- and triple-teaming Durant and daring someone else to beat them worked in the previous two games as they cut the deficit to 3-2. On Friday, Martin knocked down shot after shot and had outscored Durant by 12 points by halftime.

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